Norwood Officer Is Organizing Town's First Juneteenth Celebration

NORWOOD, MA - A Norwood police officer is organizing the town's first Juneteenth celebration to commemorate the ending of slavery in America while bringing people together for entertainment and conversation.

"We've had surrounding towns do it for a bit, and I was asked to volunteer there," said Officer Geoffrey Baguma, a 16-year veteran of the Norwood Police Department who created the Norwood Juneteenth Committee. "I went to the Canton one first, and then I rushed to the Walpole one because Norwood artists displayed their work. A lot of people have been doing such a great job, and I think Norwood is definitely worth it as well."

Baguma said he wants Norwood's Juneteenth event "to basically overwhelm the senses." It will be held on Saturday, June 18 on the Town Common from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"We'll present music and art for the eyes," he said. "We'll present drama and different foods. There will be many educational pieces so people can really understand what Juneteenth is all about. It's about emancipation, but it's also about celebration."

Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 celebrating the anniversary of the last day of enslavement of Black people in America. It will officially be celebrated on Monday, June 20 this year. It was first celebrated in Galveston, Texas in 1866 and centered around Black churches.

While his experiences at other Juneteenth festivities motivated him to bring one to Norwood, Baguma is no stranger to organizing community events and forums highlighting racial justice. The school resource officer was one of the organizers of "Norwood United for Peace and Justice," a community group that held a vigil and prayer service June on 7, 2020 after the murder of George Floyd sparked a national firestorm of protests and vigils.

Two weeks later, he led a community forum to discuss race relations called "Feeling at Home in Norwood" at Endean Playground, where many Black residents brought up incidents in Norwood where they believed they were the targets of racism. After some difficult conversations, participants shared hugs, ice cream and ideas on how to make Norwood more welcoming to all.

"This has a bit to do with it as well," Baguma said of the 2020 events. "But it was also seeing everyone come together at the Juneteenth celebrations. I said, 'Next year, we're doing this.'"

"One of the pleasures that I enjoy about this job is really being able to help people in more than one way," he explained. "In the beginning, I was more focused on finding and arresting people who had caused pain or harm or who had committed crimes against people. But then I discovered that there was a different way to affect change and to affect people in a positive way."

Baguma said he sees himself as a bridge builder.

"At this point in my career, I wanted to listen to what makes people happy as well as their gripes," he said. "Then I can make the connections to people who have their hearts, minds and goals in the right place."

During his tenure with the department, Baguma served as a school liaison officer at the Cleveland Middle School., where he created the Diversity and Inclusion Club. He previously started a Halloween costume drive and volunteered during the pandemic as part of the Greater Boston Food Bank's Project Milk, where he helped obtain milk for Norwood families in need.

"I love my job working with the youth because it allows me to see the town through a different lens," he added. "Who isn't ultimately a kid still?"

Baguma hopes to spotlight youth achievements during the event, including their art, music and dance performances.

Now Baguma is calling for participants to help make his vision of a diverse and welcoming townwide Juneteenth event come to fruition. He has spoken initially with Black-owned businesses, and Isaac Masse of Restorative Massages in Norwood Center confirmed last week to Patch that he will be participating. He is also reaching out to the greater business community as well as the Morrill Memorial Library and the Norwood Historical Society.

"It's almost like a child," Baguma explained of the endeavor. "It's going to take a lot of teamwork. I can't do it all by myself. It will only be as beautiful as the will and desire of the team make it."

For information about sponsorship or volunteering, email Norwoodjuneteenth@gmail.com. A GoFundMe for the event also was created.